Bora Bora Heiva – A Photographic Take

As the Heiva I Bora Bora 2016 unfolds to reveal the Polynesian’s love to celebrate in a spirit of joy through song & dance, here’s Bora Bora Insider’s: “A Photo A Day”– a pictorial guide taking readers on an adventure through the Heiva.

Each day Bora Bora Insider will select a photo or two & publish them in chronological order to keep readers abreast of what is happening in ‘real time’…….

LET THE HEIVA COMMENCE:

Where else to start but with a shot ‘at training’ – dancers & musicians train every night for up to 2 months in advance………& in the interim, hand-make their own costumes!!!!

THE OPENING CEREMONY

DAY 1 – 17th June, 2016 – NUNUE & ANAU’s DAY:

DAY 2 – 18th June, 2016 – ANAU & FAANUI’S DAY

DAY 3 – Sunday, 19th June – SUNDAY RECAP THE WEEK

DAY 4 – 20th June, 2016 – A NEW WEEK

No time for fishing, the fish ‘shop’ is fine………. Time to make my ‘more’(Tahitian costume):

EVERYBODY in Bora is involved in the Heiva; EVERYTHING performers wear – 4 separate costumes – is made by them, by hand, from essentially local vegetal materials. It’s the same in every Tahitian home on the island…..I just slipped literally next door to snap these shots of Manuotai & Rahera hard at work:

The ‘more’ (white attire) is made from the bark of the ‘purau’ tree (large hibiscus tree). The beads come from the miro trees growing on Matira Beach, shells adorn many items, pandanus forms the basis of belts, hats & upper body wear, whilst the cups of the brassiere are fashioned from coconuts……..

DAY 31 – 17th July, 2016 – SUNDAY RECAP OF THE WEEK

DAY 32 – 18th July, 2016 – BEACH SPORTS (Soccer)

DAY 33 – 19th July, 2016 – BEACH SPORTS (Soccer). Winner’s Dance

DAY 34 – 20th July, 2016 – FREE DAY

DAY 35 – 21st July, 2016 – BEACH SPORTS (Volley-Ball)

DAY 36 – 22nd July, 2016 – Hotel’s Day.

DAY 37 – 23rd July, 2016 – RAID ANEI. TAMARII HITIAA

The Heiva I Bora Bora 2016 would formerly close at 3am on Sunday morning. It is said: “a picture paints a thousand words” – so we have decided to dedicate a pictorial report to the coverage of this year’s Heiva.